Over the weekend, Kent State’s softball team played three games, taking on Mid-American Conference foe Bowling Green.
The Flashes (23-18, 9-10 MAC) outscored Bowling Green 17-6 and swept the series.
“Great games, great team wins this weekend,” coach Jessica O’Donnell said. “I’m proud of us for not giving up and fighting.”
Game 1
Kent State started the game in the bottom of the second with a two-out single from sophomore catcher Bri Despines to score.
Despines was tagged after baiting the defense, which allowed junior utility player Delaney Robeson to make it home for the 2-0 lead.
Bowling Green made it 2-2 in the top of the third after an error.
Graduate student infielder Alexandria Whitmore got hit on a pitch and then stole second before advancing to third with a single from graduate student infielder Julia Mazanec.
A single from senior first baseman Emily Lippe and a Falcon error loaded the bases. Bowling Green was able to turn two.
Bowling Green matched the score 3-3 in the top of the fourth.
Sophomore utility player Brynn Libler started the bottom of the fourth with a single, advanced to second on a sac bunt, and scored on a double from Despines.
Mazanec drove Despines home with a two-out single later in the inning.
The Falcons got one run back in the top of the fifth.
Robeson hit a two-run homer to make it 7-4.
Freshman pitcher Megan Nuechterlein was able to retire all three batters in the top of the sixth and the first two in the top of the seventh.
Game 2
The Flashes were able to score a run in the bottom of the second inning when Libler, Robeson and freshman infielder Megan Claerhout put together three hits in a row.
Bowling Green tied the game in the top of the third 1-1.
A walk, a single from Lippe, and an error loaded the bases.
Claerhout had the go-ahead run with a sac fly to right field.
Lippe and sophomore outfielder Carley Penner started the bottom of the sixth with singles.
The Flashes had two in scoring position with a sac bunt from Claerhout, Libler and Robeson followed with RBI singles to give them the 4-1 lead.
Nuechterlein allowed only one run and had five strikeouts over the six innings.
Game 3
The Falcons started the game with a solo home run in the top of the second.
Lippe provided a two-run blast over the scoreboard.
An off-target throw to second on a stolen base by Whitmore allowed Despines to score from third.
Lippe got her third RBI later in the inning to make it 4-1.
Junior utility player Savannah Wing brought the two final runs home with a single, ending the game 6-1.
Outstanding individual
Freshman pitcher Megan Nuechterlein
Nuechterlein allowed three runs, striking out 13 batters over 20 innings pitched.
“She pitched all three games this weekend and showed a lot of heart, fight, and determination,” O’Donnell said. “I’m so proud of her for showing up for this team.”
Coming up
On Tuesday, the team will take on Cleveland State at Viking Field in Cleveland, Ohio.
The game against Cleveland State was recently added to the schedule.
“I’m glad that we were able to pick up this additional game,” O’Donnell said. “We need some momentum going into Miami, and game experience right now is more valuable than practice at this point.”
Robyn Taylor is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
